Ten Hag is making same mistake with Amrabat as he did with Eriksen
Manchester United‘s recent midfield addition, Sofyan Amrabat, has been deployed as a left-back in his first four games with the club, a decision that has attracted criticism for manager Erik ten Hag.
This isn’t the first time Ten Hag has made such a positional adjustment.
Amrabat joined United on deadline day, initially on a season-long loan from Fiorentina with an option to make the move permanent for €20 million plus add-ons.
While Amrabat is known for his versatility and gained attention from top European clubs as a defensive midfielder, he has been utilized at left-back due to a string of injuries.
In all four of his appearances, with three as a starter, Amrabat has found himself playing out of position.
Unfortunately, United have been hit by injuries in the left-back position, with Sergio Reguilon, the last-minute loan signing to cover for the already sidelined Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, also getting injured.
Despite a solid performance at left-back in a 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Crystal Palace, Amrabat has faced difficulties when facing teams that actively attack.
In particular, he was caught out of position during the match against Galatasaray, leading to a goal by Muhammed Aktürkoğlu.
Erik Ten Hag explains his decision to play Amrabat as a Left-Back
Ten Hag explained his decision by saying on MUTV,
“We had to be able to make choices from a tactical perspective. Amrabat is a midfielder, but he’s previously played as a full-back a while ago. At Fiorentina, he was really settled, for Morocco, he was the big man at the World Cup.
He was one of the best players at the World Cup in the position as a holding midfielder, but he can play there [left-back] and he’s a warrior, he’ll fight for the badge. He’s someone who will play where his manager needs him.”
Ten Hag refers to Amrabat’s past experience as a left-back, which was a brief stint at FC Utrecht in 2017, albeit in the Eredivisie, a less intense league compared to the Premier League or the Champions League.
This isn’t the first time Ten Hag has placed a new signing in an unfamiliar role.
Last season, he deployed Christian Eriksen as a false nine in the opening weeks, and Eriksen struggled to make an impact against top-flight defenses.
Man United Boss on playing Eriksen as false nine
Ten Hag explained this decision by stating,
“Because we didn’t have the typical number nine, I knew [Eriksen] played a long time as a striker a long time ago in Ajax, dropping in.
I wanted to keep Jadon and Marcus on the wings, coming inside they were really good in pre-season there.
When I think, finally, Christian Eriksen is the best in the midfield and actually that was also the idea that he drops and gets in between the lines and to make the game.”
Both Amrabat and Eriksen have faced similar challenges in their United careers, being asked to adapt to positions they hadn’t played in for a long time and struggling as a result.
Ten Hag seems to have underestimated the difference in quality and intensity between the Eredivisie and the Premier League, making it tough for his new signings to adjust.
